Shloka 7

नैमिषारण्ये सूतागमनम् — लिङ्गमाहात्म्यभूमिका तथा शब्दब्रह्म-ओङ्कार-लिङ्गतत्त्वम्

Devanagari script

चक्रे कथां विचित्रार्थां लिङ्गमाहात्म्यमाश्रिताम् एतस्मिन्नेवकाले तु सूतः पौराणिकः स्वयम्

Transliteration

cakre kathāṃ vicitrārthāṃ liṅgamāhātmyamāśritām etasminnevakāle tu sūtaḥ paurāṇikaḥ svayam

Translation

चक्रे कथां विचित्रार्थां लिङ्गमाहात्म्यमाश्रिताम् । एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु सूतः पौराणिकः स्वयम् ॥

Word by Word

• चक्रे: composed/arranged

• कथाम्: a narrative/discourse

• विचित्रार्थाम्: of wondrous and varied meanings

• लिङ्गमाहात्म्यम्: the greatness/glory of the Liṅga

• आश्रिताम्: based upon/grounded in

• एतस्मिन् एव काले: at this very time

• तु: indeed

• सूतः: Sūta

• पौराणिकः: the Purāṇic storyteller/knower of Purāṇas

• स्वयम्: himself

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames the text as a deliberate Mahātmya—an authoritative Purāṇic teaching that establishes the Liṅga as the central sign (liṅga) of Pati (Śiva) and the primary focus of devotion and worship.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By anchoring the narrative in “Liṅga-Mahātmya,” it implies Śiva as Pati—the supreme reality indicated by the Liṅga—whose greatness is to be known through sacred narration, not merely through outer form.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this verse; it functions as a preface that legitimizes Liṅga-centered upāsanā (worship) and prepares the ground for later teachings on pūjā and Pāśupata-oriented discipline.